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player ready...State championship contenders abound in Northwest Indiana. Among them are Crown Point and Kouts, while Valparaiso and Andrean are back for more.
Top 10 teams
1. Crown Point (27-5): Could the Bulldogs make it three Class 4A state champions from the Duneland Athletic Conference in as many seasons? That’s their potential. Senior catcher Sean Dunlap, a Tennessee recruit and likely early pick in the MLB draft, leads the way. Senior shortstop Caden Matusak (Michigan), senior pitcher Logan Johnston (Indiana) and junior pitcher/first baseman Riley Ackerman (Northwestern) all are Big Ten recruits. Junior outfielder Brody Langhans also is among the returnees for the DAC co-champion.
2. Valparaiso (26-5): The Vikings, who won their first Class 4A state championship following inaugural regional and semistate titles last season, have a dynamic one-two combination with senior shortstop Trent Gill (John A. Logan) and senior second baseman DJ Malloy, both fourth-year starters. Promising junior pitcher/first baseman Lucas Haas figures to take over as their ace on a revamped staff following Caden Crowell‘s graduation. Freshman outfielder Cooper Gear is highly regarded, and sophomore pitcher/first baseman Jack Baumgardner and sophomore outfielder Beckett Reaume also are among the potential-laden newcomers.
3. Andrean (31-3): Dave Pishkur and the 59ers won the Class 3A state title last season, tying the state record with their ninth, and they’re the leading contenders to crack double figures this season. Senior pitcher/first baseman Kaden Maxwell (Illinois), senior outfielder Luke Goben (Indiana-Southeast), senior second baseman Jet Dutton (Northwestern Ohio) and junior third baseman Chase Nelson are among the top returnees for the Northwest Crossroads Conference champion.
4. Lake Central (25-6): Junior shortstop Parker Robinson (Oklahoma) is an elite player for the Indians, who were DAC co-champions last season and the Class 4A state champions in 2024. Senior outfielder Keegan O’Bryan (IU Kokomo) and senior second baseman Victor Villegas (Roosevelt) also are back. Junior catcher Brayden Walls (Ball State) and sophomore outfielder Jacob Forystek are among their other talented players. Coach Mike Swartzentruber said it’s the first time in his 10 seasons without an experienced pitching staff, but a number of “capable arms” just “aren’t battle tested” yet.
5. Chesterton (15-13): The Trojans are another DAC team thinking big, and with good reason. Senior outfielder/pitcher Rob Czarniecki (Kentucky) returns after missing most of last season with a hamstring injury. Senior pitcher/outfielder Troy Barrett (Purdue), who underwent offseason elbow surgery for a bone spur, gives them a legitimate ace. Junior catcher Caden Hackett is back, as are senior pitcher Dylan Bradford and junior infielder/pitcher John Knight.
6. Kouts (27-7): With no seniors in the lineup, the Mustangs reached the Class 1A state championship game for the first time last season, and they have the ability to take the final step. Sophomore pitcher/shortstop Billy Miller is back after a stellar freshman season. The group also includes sophomore second baseman Ben Finney, senior third baseman/shortstop/pitcher Landon Garrett (Kankakee), senior first baseman/pitcher Eli Harper (Marian Ancilla) and senior catcher Cooper Whitaker. Junior catcher/pitcher Nathan Allen transferred back to his home district from Andrean.
7. Hanover Central (22-8): Nic Sampognaro is in his first full season as the coach of the Wildcats, who are NCC and postseason contenders. Senior shortstop Dylan Bowen (Oklahoma State) is a premium player who has excelled since he debuted as a freshman. Senior pitcher Matt Cook (Evansville) is in his third season as the No. 1 starter, and senior third baseman Aidan Creasbaum (Valparaiso) is in his fourth season as a starter. The team also has a promising freshman class.
8. Munster (17-12): The Mustangs also could be NCC and postseason challengers. Highlighting the group are senior outfielder/first baseman Nate Southwell (IU Kokomo); junior pitcher/corner infielder Jack Kunas, a future Division I pitcher whose “stock is skyrocketing,” according to coach Mike Mikolajczyk; and sophomore second baseman/pitcher Donovan Craig, another Division I prospect who was outstanding as a freshman. Senior outfielder Niko Iatrides, junior catcher/first baseman Nick Crowley and senior middle infielder/pitcher Danny Schassburger also are back.
9. Illiana Christian (18-6): Veteran assistant and 2008 graduate Shane Colvin is the Vikings’ third coach in as many seasons. They’ll be seeking their fourth straight Greater South Shore Conference title before departing for the NCC. Senior pitcher/outfielder/first baseman Tanner Post (Toledo) is their standout player.
10. Portage (13-13-2): There’s considerable buzz surrounding the Indians, who upset Chesterton in a sectional semifinal last season before losing to Valparaiso. Senior pitcher/first baseman Kaleb Hacker (Purdue Northwest), senior outfielder/pitcher Kodie Young and senior pitcher/outfielder Hunter Cole (Purdue Northwest) are among their top players. Senior infielder/outfielder Tyler Pirowski and senior third baseman Ryan Bogue also are part of that strong class.
25 players to watch
• Riley Ackerman, Crown Point, junior, pitcher/first baseman
• Troy Barrett, Chesterton, senior, pitcher/outfielder
• Dylan Bowen, Hanover Central, senior, shortstop
• Matt Cook, Hanover Central, senior, pitcher
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• Donovan Craig, Munster, sophomore, second baseman/pitcher
• Rob Czarniecki, Chesterton, senior, outfielder/pitcher
• Sean Dunlap, Crown Point, senior, catcher
• Ben Finney, Kouts, sophomore, second baseman
• Trent Gill, Valparaiso, senior, shortstop
• Luke Goben, Andrean, senior, outfielder
• Logan Johnston, Crown Point, senior, pitcher
• Jack Kunas, Munster, junior, pitcher/corner infielder
• Cal Lemmons, Morgan Township, junior, catcher
• Elijah Lewis, Hammond Central, senior, utility
• DJ Malloy, Valparaiso, senior, second baseman
• Caden Matusak, Crown Point, senior, shortstop
• Kaden Maxwell, Andrean, senior, pitcher/first baseman
• Billy Miller, Kouts, sophomore, pitcher/shortstop
• Tanner Post, Illiana Christian, senior, pitcher/outfielder/first baseman
• Parker Robinson, Lake Central, junior, shortstop
• Zak Scharnke, Lowell, senior, third baseman/shortstop
• Nate Southwell, Munster, senior, outfielder/first baseman
• Brandon Stafford, Hobart, junior, shortstop/pitcher
• Michael Stevens, Morton, senior, outfielder
• Tristan Wilson, Boone Grove, senior, second baseman